Rheumatology Service

Today is World Juvenile Arthritis Day. To raise public awareness about this condition, Gayane Khloyan, Head of the Rheumatology Service at Arabkir Medical Center, answers common questions that concern parents.What is juvenile arthritis?Juvenile arthritis is a chronic inflammation of the joints that occurs in children under the age of 18. In most cases, the exact cause of the disease remains unknown.What are the initial symptoms? How can a parent recognize the problem? The initial symptoms may vary. However, the most common signs are swelling and pain in a joint. Children may not always be able to clearly describe what they are feeling or indicate which part of the body hurts.Parents may notice that the child holds one leg, avoids walking, or begins to limp. Careful observation is important to identify the cause of these symptoms. In addition to joint inflammation, other symptoms may appear, such as general weakness, fever, and sometimes a rash. Is this a hereditary disease? Juvenile arthritis is not considered a hereditary disease. However, there may be a certain genetic predisposition. What are the possible consequences if the disease is not treated? Delayed or absent treatment can lead to disability. Starting treatment at an early stage significantly improves the child’s quality of life and allows them to live a normal, active life. Your advice to parents At first, parents may find it difficult to accept the presence of a chronic disease. However, there are many ways to help children manage this condition. It is very important for parents to cooperate closely with the doctor. The physician cannot manage the disease alone, since the child spends most of the time at home under parental supervision. Effective care requires teamwork involving the family, the child, the physician, and the rheumatologist, as well as other specialists such as an orthopedist, an ophthalmologist, and a rehabilitation specialist.

Arabkir Medical Center was once again honored to welcome Professor Traudel Saurenmann, our long-time partner in pediatric rheumatology.   With extensive clinical experience in leading hospitals in Zurich and Winterthur, Switzerland, Professor Saurenmann has been collaborating with the Rheumatology Service at Arabkir for the past 17 years, working closely with Dr. Gayane Khloyan, Head of the Service.   During this visit, as in previous ones, the professor consulted on approximately 40 complex pediatric rheumatology cases. She also delivered a lecture focused on focal and systemic scleroderma, enriching both clinical practice and medical education at the center.   Arabkir deeply values this long-standing partnership, which continues to enhance the quality of care for children with rheumatic conditions. #ԱրաբկիրԲՀ #arabkirmc #ռևմատոլոգիա #rheumatology

The event held at the "Arabkir" Medical Center on the occasion of Pediatric Rheumatology Day was featured on the "Dr. David" program. You can watch the video here.

Public TV’s “News” program covered the event organized at the “Arabkir” Medical Center, dedicated to World Young Rheumatic Diseases Day.  

The Ministry of Health's team interviewed Gayane Khloyan, head of the Rheumatology service, along with children and their parents.  

On the occasion of World Young Rheumatic Diseases Day, Minister of Health Anahit Avanesyan visited Arabkir Medical Center.   This format of direct interaction with children, parents, and healthcare providers aligns with the main goal of the day — to raise awareness and emphasize that, thanks to advances in medical science, juvenile idiopathic arthritis is now largely manageable. With the right treatment strategies and effective medications, challenges can be overcome, and children's quality of life can be maintained and improved.   Arabkir Medical Center has embodied these values for decades. It was with this vision that the pediatric rheumatology service was established, becoming a unique training ground for many of Armenia’s rheumatologists and offering comprehensive diagnostic, therapeutic, and long-term follow-up services.   Through the joint efforts of Arabkir Medical Center and the Ministry of Health, an important and unprecedented program has been launched: children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis now receive essential medications free of charge under a state-supported initiative — a meaningful step in supporting affected families.

Listen about Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (arthritis of an unknown origin in children under the age of 16) by Gayane Khloyan, the head of the Rheumatology service of “Arabkir” MC.